TARANAKI.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 30, 3 May 1845, Page 4

TARANAKI.

A public meeting, very numerously attended, was convened on the evening of the 31st March, at Taranaki, for the purpose of submitting to the settlers the result of experiments made by Mr. Flight in the growth of English flax in the settlement, a very beautiful specimen of which was laid on the table. On the motion of Mr. Wicksteed, J. P., seconded by Mr. Flight, J. P., the chair was ' taken by Mr. Halse, J. P., who opened the proceedings of the evening. Before any resolutions were put to the meeting, I Mr. Flight said that the necessity of obtaining an export in this colony had forced itself on the attention of his brother-in-law and himself from the peculiar adaptation of the climate of this district, alternating from rain to sunshine, to the growth of the English flax, and that they were consequently induced to make an experiment in the production of that article, the result of which he would now state to the meeting. The seed from which the present specimen was raised, we bought at Plymouth, in 1841. Plymouth is not situated in a flax growing part of England, and consequently the seed obtained there would not be such as a flax grower would sow. We did not plant this seed until 1843. It was, therefore, too old, and such portion of it as vegetated, produced plants of an inferior description. It was also sown too late, the seed when in process of ripening having been attacked by the caterpillar, so that with difficulty we obtained enough to sow 3|- perches of land. That was planted last September, and the produce from it was If pecks of seed, and 14£lbs. of clean flax, or at the rate of 20 bushels and •6631b. or 2 packs 13doz. 31b. per acre. The value of the flax varied so much in England, according to the purposes for which it could be used, that he felt some difficulty in affixing one to the present sample ; but having been for many years connected with the manufacture of it in England, and having carefully calculated the expenses attendant on the production of this crop, he felt no hesitation in stating that after paying all the expenses, the sum of at least £9 per acre would be left to the grower to pay him for preparing his land and profit. The sample of flax he intended to forward to England to the care of Mr. Robert Turner, flax manufacturer, Bridport, Dorset, and then to Mr. "Wordsworth, machine-maker, Leeds, either of whom would feel great pleasure in shewing it to any party interested in the flax trade. Mr. Smith then proceeded to give the result of his experience as a flax grower in England. For many years before he left England he had been a grower of flax. The soil in the neighbourhood he had lived (in the lower part of Dorsetshire, bordering on Somersetshire) was similar to that in this settlement. It was essential that the land should be well fallowed and worked as fine as for turnips, and cleared well of weeds. It required two bushels of seed per acre, and when about six or nine inches high, it must be carefully weeded ; when ripe it is drawn and laid on the ground to dry — then drawn together, put in mows, and the seed stamped out. The Russian seed is sown in for three or four years — after that time it is only fit for oil. The flax after stamping is carried out on stubble or meadow land, spread for the dew and rain to weather the inner portion of the stalk, and to strengthen the flax, in order that it may be easily separated by the swingler. It is dried on long poles over a fire made by the flax scimp. It is then put in the break and swingled, and finally tied up in heads fit for the manufacturer, precisely in the same state as the specimen shewn by Mr. Flight A flax maker of great experience in England was then called in. The sample was shewn to him for the first time and elicited his unqualified approval. Several interesting questions were put to him by Mr. Flight, and his answers gave great satisfaction to the meeting. Mr. Wicksteed, after remarking on the great utility and importance of the present meeting, then proposed the following resolutions, which were seconded by Mr. Chilman.and unanimously agreed to : — Ist. That this meeting hereby expresses its great satisfaction at the prospect which now presents itself of obtaining a valuable export in the Anglo New Zealand flax. • 2d. That it pledges itself by every means in its power to promote the cultivation of an article so likely to prove of the first importance to this colony. 3d. That the chairman be requested to procure the publication of the proceedings of this meeting, and especially of Mr. Flight and Mr. Smith's statements, in the New Zealand news-

papers, and such English journal's as may take' an interest in the affairs of this colony. After a vote of thanks to the chairman, the business of the evening was concluded. ■ A specimen of the Phormium Tenax, dressed? Vy the new machinery at Nelson, was also ex--hibited.

At a meeting of the inhabitants of both races 5 of the district of Taranaki, convened by the' Police Magistrate, on a requisition of the settlers, and held at New Plymouth the teuth day of April 1845, J. Wicksteed, Esq., J. P., in the 1 chai^j the following resolutions were unanimously passed : — Ist, That this meeting deem it prudent tc take precautionary steps to defend this district from the threatened attack of the northern tribes of this island. 2d, That the Magistrates be requested to* sanction the formation of a Volunteer Corps, to meet for the purpose of drilling, and that a Stockade be erected for the protection of the inhabitants. 3d, That a Memorial be drawn up, respectfully requesting His Excellency the Governor ta grant us a military force ; as from the generally excited state of the native population throughout this island, and the utter absence of any place of refuge or means of defence in this Settlement, such force is absolutely necessary for the protection of the lives and property of the inhabitants. 4th, That Mr. Flight, Mr. Cooke, and Mr. Chilman form the committee for drawing up the Memorial to be submitted to the next meeting. sth, That Mr. Gledhill be added to the committee. 6th, That, as many of the labouring classes have not been able to attend, this meeting be adjourned until six o'clock this evening, at the Devon hotel. At the adjourned meeting the following resolusions were passed :—: — Ist, That Captain Creagh, Mr. Cooke, and Mr. Aubrey be requested to drill the volunteer corps, and that the sanction of the magistrates be obtained thereto. 2d, That as considerable time must necessarily elapse before the memorial can be forwarded to Auckland and an answer received from the executive government, it is expedient that the inhabitants of this settlement shall take immediate measures (under the sanction of the magistrates) for their own protection, by erecting a stockade &c, and that contributions of labour, cartage, money, &c, be now entered into for that purpose. The following memorial was presented by the committee appointed to prepare it, and unanimously adopted by the meeting : — To His Excellency Captain Robert Fitzroy, R. N., Governor of New Zealand. May it please your Excellency, We the undersigned inhabitants of the district of Taranaki, in public meeting assembled, feel the urgent necessity, in consequence of the generally excited state of the native population throughout the Northern Island, of again representing to your Excellency the peril to which this settlement is exposed from its totally unprotected state. Whilst measures are in progress for forming and disciplining a volunteer corps or a militia, the condition of the Taranaki settlers may become one of the most pressing difficulty. In the mean while, we feel it a duty so imperative as to become an act of self preservation, to call upon your Excellency to afford us efficient military protectien. We are aware that in other parts of the northern island where, from their superior numbers the settlers are better able to protect themselves, your Excellency has thought fit to station a body of regular soldiers, and we are at a loss for a reason why the inhabitants of New Plymouth should not have that aid to which their contributions to the support of the general GoVernment, entitle them. We need not remind your Excellency that the payment of taxes entitles the community to the protection of the Government ; and we found our application for immediate presence of regular | troops, as well upon the fact that Taranaki has, through various sources, paid its full proportion of the expense of Government, as upon the inherent right of loyal subjects in every part of the world, to protection from the Crown and its Representatives . New Plymouth, April 10th, 1845. Numerous signatures were immediately appended to the memorial ; also, several persons signed the resolution for defraying the cost of a stockade, &c. It was announced that: six gentlemen had undertaken to " mount" and "horse" one of the pieces of artillery (a six pounder) for the defence of the settlement. This will cost nearly £20. The Police Magistrate has engaged to supply ammunition. A/ considerable number of the settlers have offered their services as volunteers. A meeting will be held on Monday next, (the 14th inst) to decide upon the means of erecting a stockade and block-house. *^ Mr. Protector M'Lean explaine^^ the maories the object of these proceedings of the Europeans, with the assurance that thejjpare strictly defensive.